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Justice News

Ravenna Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Drug And Firearms Convictions

A Ravenna man was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and possessing with intent to distribute crack cocaine, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Darnell C. Butcher, 50, was previously found guilty of those crimes following a jury trail before U.S. District Judge Christopher Boyko.

"This defendant was a longtime scourge to the residents of Ravenna," Dettelbach said. "This sentence will make it easier for them to live, work and play in peace."

Butcher possessed a Tanfoglio Giuseppe, model GT32, .32 caliber pistol; a Ruger, model Mark II, .22 caliber pistol; an RG Industries, model RGI, .22 caliber pistol; and ammunition, on or about April 8, 2011, despite previous convictions for possession of cocaine and trafficking in cocaine, in the Court of Common Pleas of Portage County, Ohio.

On the same day, Butcher possessed with the intent to distribute approximately 12.1 grams of crack cocaine, according to court documents and testimony.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Youngstown Field Office, the Ravenna Police Department and the Metro SWAT Team. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly Galvin and Chelsea Rice.